NAKED WEDDING CAKE: THE ULTIMATE RUSTIC CELEBRATION CENTERPIECE
Key Information
Contents
Prep Time: 2-3 hours
Cook Time: 35-55 minutes
Total Time: 4-6 hours
Servings: 24-36
Difficulty: Intermediate
Dietary: Vegetarian-friendly (customizable)
Equipment Needed
Essential Tools:
- Multiple cake pans (6″ and 8″)
- Electric mixer
- Offset palette knife
- Bench scraper
- Cake boards
- Support dowels
- Serrated knife
- Cooling racks
Ingredients
Cake Base:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Buttercream:
- 2 cups unsalted butter
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- Pasteurized egg whites
Optional Decorations:
- Fresh, food-safe flowers
- Seasonal fruits
- Edible herbs
- Gold leaf
Pro Tips Before Starting
- Use room temperature ingredients
- Weigh batter for uniform layers
- Chill buttercream for easier handling
Method
Cake Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy
- Add eggs one at a time
- Alternate dry ingredients with buttermilk
- Divide batter evenly between pans
- Bake 30-45 minutes until golden
- Cool completely (minimum 1 hour)
Layer Assembly
- Level cake tops with serrated knife
- Apply thin buttercream layer between tiers
- Use dowels for structural support
- Stack tiers carefully
Naked Finish Technique
- Scrape buttercream minimally around sides
- Allow cake layers to peek through
- Create intentional, rustic appearance
Decoration
- Add fresh flowers with food-safe picks
- Scatter seasonal fruits
- Dust with powdered sugar if desired
Crucial Storage Tips
- Store in cool environment
- Cover to prevent drying
- Best consumed within 2-3 days
- Assemble close to serving time
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Overbaking layers
- ❌ Overfrosting
- ❌ Using non-food-safe flowers
- ❌ Stacking warm cakes
Variation Ideas
- Chocolate sponge
- Lemon zest infusion
- Vegan alternative
- Gluten-free option
- Seasonal fruit fillings
Customization Hacks
- 🌈 Swap buttermilk with plant-based milk
- 🌈 Use egg replacer for vegan version
- 🌈 Experiment with flavor extracts
Final Pro Advice
Practice makes perfect. Don’t stress about absolute perfection – the beauty of naked cakes is their wonderfully imperfect, natural aesthetic!
Perfect For
- Rustic weddings
- Garden celebrations
- Bohemian events
- Non-traditional couples
Keywords
#NakedWeddingCake #RusticCake #WeddingBaking #DIYCake #ElegantDessert